In his article, published on April 25, 2017 on the site 4Pelagatos, Pallares said Correa is "able to twist the meaning of words so that they conform to what is best for him," referring to the case of a former energy minister in the country who is being investigated for corruption in the case of the global Odebrecht scandal.

In his complaint, Correa stated that the journalist "refers to me with expressions that affect my honor, accusing me of acts that conflict with law and morality, and in doing so also using a widely distributed media outlet of communication, provides evidence for the malicious intention of causing me harm," Fundamedios added.=

During the hearing there were confrontations between Correa's supporters and those who were supporting Pallares. The hashtags #TodxsSomosMartin (We’re All Martín) and #CorreaVsPallares were used to report what happened at the hearing.

The suit filed by Correa again generated debate on the protection of freedom of expression and of the press. The journalist questioned that Correa filed the suit as a citizen when the article was published while he was still president and therefore should have been more tolerant of criticism.

Correa left office on May 24, 2017 and was succeeded by one of his former vice presidents, Lenín Moreno.

“This is a matter of freedom of expression and a President is obliged to assume responsibilities, to receive the criticism and the scrutiny of the citizens, their constituents. This is a topic of trying to criminalize opinion, but opinions can not be considered crimes,” Pallares said, according to Fundamedios.

For its part, the site of which Pallares is founder along with other colleagues, indicated they would defend themselves in this case.

“4Pelagatos will confront this suit from the meaning it has: another attack on freedom of expression from Correa. A new show of his desire to intimidate and punish, now from the widow of power, voices and pens that did not give up during his authoritarian rule. This trial will be carried out under the Lenín Moreno government and will serve to show whether judges now act bound to the law. Or if they still receive orders from a former president who, in addition to being authoritarian and intolerant, sees ghosts where there are none,” the portal wrote.

Confrontations between the press and Correa are widely known. Beginning the first day of his presidency, he called it "the enemy.” Later, through his weekly broadcasts known as 'sabatinas,' he constantly criticized it, usually calling it "corrupt press" and some journalists "assassins of ink".